Ooops ... On Wednesday, 12/11, I sent an email to the AIFD distribution list (aifd-annc) about the remote possibility of dancing being cancelled on 12/21 due to the floor being refinished. This email was intended only for the AIFD board. Apologies for the intrusion. We will know by next week's AIFD newsletter whether or not there will be dancing on 12/21 (I am betting that there will be). - Bill Ogilvie.

This week at dancing

Holly Plotner DJs, assisted by John Scales.

Join us for a fun evening of dancing DJ'd by Holly Plotner and her assistant John Scales. Holly will emphasize some of the dances taught at Texas Camp.

Teaching:Franklin Houston will devote the beginners class session to dances introduced by Steve Kotansky. He'll have several of the dances from the recent Texas Camp ready to present, as well as several from the workshop that Steve did in Austin in 2002. If you want to learn or review some great Albanian, Macedonian, Serbian and Greek dances, be sure to show up at 7:30. Then... get ready for Mezõségi!** It was taught at Camp, and Robert Sampson and Wendy Erickson are bringing it to AIFD.

**Mezõségi is a couples dance from Hungary. You do not need to bring a partner for this teaching.

Saturday, December 14th7:30-10:45 pm$5 at the door 17 & older. 16 & under free.Children must be accompanied by an adult.Hancock Rec Center (HRC)

Celebrate the start of a new year a few days early with AIFD's Old World Winterland Ball, Saturday, December 28th.

Music will be provided by Homegrown Contra Band Goes International. They will play a number of international tunes during the evening and will also play a contra, called by guest caller Marc Airhart (thank you, Mark!). Note: The contra will begin at 8:45.

Safety First! The AED (Automated External Defibrillator) is located next to the attendant's desk at Hancock. Even if you are not certified to operate the device, just knowing where it is could save a life. If you are certified to operate the AED please let the Board know. The Board will not keep an official list, but would like to know who to turn to in the event of an emergency. Thanks! (more details here.)

Upcoming "other dance" features:

Thursday, December 12th:SLAVIC SHAKE at the Russian House! Come at 8pm for an hour of dance teaching by the fabulous Bill Ogilvie and Misi Tsurikov interspersed with live music by Genevieve's band, Korobushka! Wino Vino will go on afterward and feature a medley of Balkan, Klezmer, Latin American, New Orleans style jazz and original tunes that will keep you shakin' that thang all night long. $6 cover, 307 East 5th St.

Sunday, December 15th: Wassail 2013. Wassail, the fast-paced, family-friendly variety show honoring Christmas and the winter Solstice is set for 5:30 p.m. Dec. 15 at a brand new venue: the historic Scottish Rite Theater. This year's event includes many groups and people that are involved in AIFD. For tickets and more information, check out their website.

Friday, December 20th: Austin's own Csardas Hungarian Dancersperform on the Community Stage at the Trail of Lights at Zilker Park. FREE general admission begins at 7pm. Csardas will perform about 7:30. The Community Stage is close to the front gate.

Friday, December 27th: The Austin Scandinavian Dancing group hosts its Annual Holiday Julfest Party at Hancock Rec Center, 7-9:45pm. Bring a friend, bring a tasty treat and come dance with us! Live Music by Austin's own AIO and others!